Rafael Nadal is one of the best tennis players the world has ever got. He belongs to the country Spain. And is ranked as World Number 2 by the Association of Tennis Player (ATP). He over the years has had great achievements and records in his name. From Nadal’s achievements in the Australian Open and Wimbledon, his career has just peaked through all the years. And this is why Rafael Nadal has been all over the News constantly in the World.
And everyone knows about them. What the audience misses out is how he reached the top of his game, winning titles and being one of the best in the world. And the latest update on his life, by still being the World Number 2.
Rafael Nadal and his youth
Nadal is playing tennis for his entire life. He started at the age of three and became a professional at the age of 15. This means he has been a tennis player for 31 years of his life. And with all his practice and passion towards the sport, he has won a total of 19 single titles with record-breaking 12 French Open titles to his name.
With this skill set that Rafael Nadal has on the clay courts and his statistics on them, he is also known as ‘King of Clay’. In the year 2005, Rafael Nadal won the French Open at the age of 19. And had won 11 singles titles that year, and 8 were on the clay. That is why he started to be known as ‘King of Clay’ and his ranking went to World Number 3. But his inspiration to start playing Tennis came from his uncle, a former Tennis player. Who saw the potential in him and started working with him.
At the age of 8, Nadal won his first tennis championship. Leading to the start of more extensive training. And four years down the line, at the age of 12 Rafael Nadal won the Spanish and European titles for his age. When Nadal was 17, he became the youngest male to reach the third round of Wimbledon and has grown from there.
Tennis Career of Rafael Nadal
Nadal in Grand Slams
After his great beginning in the 2005 season. He suffered from shoulder and foot injuries in the next season. But despite all of that in 2006, he added four more titles to his name. And Nadal won Wimbledon in the following year 2008 against his on-field rival Roger Federer. Which holds the record of the longest final in the history of Wimbledon. Following this win, he had a winning streak of 32 matches, the longest streak of his career. And also won an Olympic Gold in the same year.
Rafael Nadal in the following year won his first Australian Open. And in 2010, it was the changing year for Nadal. Rafael Nadal won Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, and an Olympic gold as well. And became the second person to win the Gold Slam.
The following year, Nadal had to give up his World Number 1 ranking to Novak Djokovic, who defeated him in the Wimbledon Final. Though, Nadal has his revenge of the Wimbledon win at the French Open. Winning it for the seventh time. But from here began the roller coaster ride. Nadal had to pull back from the Olympics 2012, due to injuries. Though, what was not expected was him to win a French Open title in the following year 2013. But, was hit by shock when he lost the Wimbledon in the rounds itself.
And yet another comeback from Nadal came in the French Open, where he made it back to the top spots. Nadal won his 14th Grand Slam by winning the French Open in 2014. But the following years became tough. Because of injuries he has physical setbacks. Which lead Nadal to snap the streak of at least one Grand Slam title for 10 consecutive years.
The last five years
With his wrist injury. Rafael Nadal lost the first round of the Australian Open in 2016. And had countered his performance in the Australian Open by performing in other tournaments. But since his injury did not heal well he had to pull out of his most successful tournament French Open after playing for the first two rounds. But he did not let his year go to waste, has he scored a Gold Medal in Olympics Double. And this News of Nadal created a lot of buzz around the world.
The following year 2017, was a decent year for him. Nadal was defeated by his on-field rival in the finals of the Australian Open. But he reaching the finals was also a big deal after the injuries. Though Roger Federer won the match, he also appreciated Rafael Nadal.
“I don’t think either one of us thought we would be in the final at the Australian Open this year. I am happy for you. I would’ve been happy to lose to you tonight, too, really
– Roger Federer
And he backed his year with another French Open and US Open title, returning home with Rank 1 and winning his 16th Grand Slam Title. The Next year 2018, he maintained his French Open winning record and won his 11th French Single and 17th Grand Slam. But had to again back out of the semi-finals of two Grand Slam due to his knee injury.
Later, Nadal made an appearance in the Australian-Open final but lost. But, he did not give up on his clay-court dominance and won his 12th French Open title. Later, Nadal won the US Open title, leading to his 19th Grand Slam win.
Latest News about Rafael Nadal
The 2020 season of Rafael Nadal began on the 3rd of January. Where he started to play for his Spanish Squad (International Career) of ATP Cup. The next tournament of the season was the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal had a great tournament until he lost the match to World Number 5 in the Quarter Finals.
After this tournament, he had the Mexican Open where he won the finals with a straight-set. And won his first title of the year. But the further tournaments were delayed due to the pandemic and thus the no one played any matches.
But, since the Clay-court season has resumed. Nadal started with the Italian Open where he lost the Quarter-finals. And is currently playing his favorite tournament of the season, the French Open. Where Nadal can bring an equalizer to the record of Roger Federer of winning 20 Grand Slam Titles.
Life Outside Tennis
Personal Life
Unlike other of his colleagues and competitors, Nadal has not started his family as of now. But he has been dating his girlfriend Xisca Perello from his early days 2005. And Rafael Nadal had revealed that they engaged in 2019, and was in the News because of this. And got married later in the same year.
Rafael Nadal Foundation
Inspired by the Red Cross, and seeing the state of this sports in different countries. Nadal started his own foundation. His family including his parents, his first coach, and uncle, and his girlfriend manage this foundation.
He helps underprivileged children from the lower strata of society to have growth and development in their youth. He established this in 2007 and named it as Fundacion Rafa Nadal. And when he decided to start this foundation he was asked why? So he replied, ” This can be the beginning of my future. I am doing very well and owe it to society.” He got inspired by the Indian Kids and wanted to help them lead at least a decent lifestyle with the talent they have got.
And he often says the reason he built is
“I am working for the same goal: to improve as a player and a person.” and this foundation helps Rafael Nadal to improve.
– Rafael Nadal
Sports Centre
Rafael Nadal owns a 40,000 square meters area in his hometown, Manacor, Mallorca. Known as the Rafael Nadal Sports Centre. He over there has his own tennis academy, a health clinic, a museum of his own, a Fitness Centre. And also a place to relax and hang out a spa and a café. He trains in the same sports Centre which has about 26 tennis courts.
FAQs Regarding Rafael Nadal and his Life
Rafael Nadal is also a big fan of football. And is a fan of the team Real Madrid. With his passion for these sports also, he invested in a local club RCD Mallorca. Which he was a part of in his childhood. He owns nearly 10% of the club and made an investment in it to save them from debt. Rafael Nadal also came in News headlines when he had called out the hypocrisy of the UEFA Champions League. Where his club was disqualified for being in debt and also said that there will only be 2-3 clubs in Europe left to play if this goes on.
At the age of 34, Nadal’s net worth is approximately $40 million according to Forbes. Out of the 40 million, he earns more than 50% of it from endorsements with various brands. And overall has earned around $121 Million since the time he has turned pro from his sports.
Nadal and Djokovic have always had a very interesting match and share one of the best rivalries on the court. They have faced each other for about 55 times out of which 27 have been on hard courts and 24 on clay courts and 4 on the grass. As the ‘King of Clay’ Nadal leads on clay courts with 17-7, whereas Djokovic leads on the hardcourt with 20-7. And both are tied on the grass-court with 2-2 each.
Read more about yet another GOAT from the field of cricket, who has recently announced retirement and holds many records on his name. The best captain and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni. And his journey of Cricket.
Editor’s Note | Rafael Nadal
Just like every other sport, Tennis also suffered due to this global pandemic. And so did the players with it. Tennis tournaments for this season had been delayed after the Mexican Open. But now Tennis season has begun for this year, with the Clay court tournament. And the very first is the French Open. Where the Latest News about Rafael Nadal he is performing and winning games in round two. And we hope to see him achieve yet another French Single Title and equalize the record of most number of Grand Slams.
